Review 21.16
01 December - 31 December, 1996

Jonathan Lester died last week. He was 44. Some men are larger in death than they are in life. Jonathan was larger in life.

As a student activist, he won the enduring respect of his contemporaries. He led Jewish student campaigns in the 1970's against the Australian Union of Students and their pro-PLO stance. He campaigned passionately for Israel and Israel related causes. During a demonstration against oppression of Soviet Jewry he organised for 100 mice to be dropped by parachute on a visiting Soviet delegation. It was a scene that delighted thousands. For Jewish students, Jonathan was their hero - he was larger than life.

An obituary notice placed by several of his friends did him great justice. "Jonathan Lester: brilliant, big hearted, stirrer, listener, eminence grise, creative genius, songster, artist, caricaturist, film maker, macher, whitewater rafter, playful provocateur, rager, cool dude, outrageous joker, constructive critic, beautiful dreamer, witty raconteur, candleburner, generous Jew, passionate lover of Israel, whimsical wonderful loving husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, son, son-in-law."

He was all of that and more. His quiet dignity filled a room when he was present. People from all walks of life were drawn to his unassuming, gentle and brilliant personality. "He judged people only by their worth, never their net worth," recalled his friend Michael Danby.

Together with his wife, Dena, Jonathan immigrated to Israel in 1983. He embarked on a career in advertising, introducing the bus stop advertising billboard to that country. The bus shelters were later burned down by religious Jews objecting to the advertisements.

On his return to Australia with three young children, Anita, Yoav and Maya, he established a successful advertising company and dedicated himself to pro-Israel causes. He was the first Jewish businessman to establish an office in Dubai after the Middle East Peace Accords were signed in 1993.

Several days before his unexpected death from heart failure, he was with his friend the photographer, Emmanuel Santos. Together, they had begun to draft ideas for an AIDS awareness campaign they had been discussing that day with Marina Mahathir, daughter of the Malaysian Prime Minister. In cruel irony, Jonathan's notes in part read: "This is a project that is a testimony to life. The importance of appreciating every waking moment that we live and breathe on this planet. Ageing and even in death there is so much to appreciate about life. It is vital that we don't take this gift of life for granted."

He was a principled, warm, witty and generous man. He was of that rich tapestry that makes life more than bearable. At times he wrestled with life, seeking to resolve the inner conflicts that torment us all. But his gentle curiosity and passion brought all within his orbit to explore where they had never dared to venture.

Some men work to better their life. Jonathan sought to make life better for others. Everyone thought he was their best friend. To him they all were. He touched so many lives in so many wonderful ways. We will all miss him forever.